Tag Archives: Liza O’Connor

Welcome, Liza.

I know people are going to love your new book.

When the pot has too many cooks a feast can be ruined, and that’s exactly what happens with Xavier and Vic’s new cases. Each proves more complicated than initially thought with criminals dropping out of the sky, wreaking havoc upon Xavier, Vic, and their excellent employees. By the end, Vic threatens to open a school that teaches criminals how to stay out of each other’s way.
Worse yet, a treasured member of the staff is shot in the heart while attempting to save Vic and the Queen’s cousin.

Vic had no idea how to counteract wolfbane, but Dr. Connors would, and he had a telephone. She rushed to the butler, struggling to keep hold of her squirming pups. “Where is Alice’s office?”
He tried to stand up.
“No time, just tell me.”
“The old smoking room.”
She darted through the hall and toward the back of the house, with Tubs in tow. When she burst into the old smoking room, she expected to find a tidy office, and more to the point, a telephone. What she did not expect to see were two young women pointing guns at her highly annoyed partner, standing by said telephone.
Her entrance caused both girls to swing their guns in her direction. She dived behind the desk to her right just before two shots rang out.

Liza O’Connor was raised badly by feral cats, left the South/Midwest and wandered off to find nicer people on the east coast. There she worked for the meanest man on Wall Street, while her psychotic husband tried to kill her three times. (So much for finding nicer people.) Then one day she declared enough, got a better job, divorced her husband, and fell in love with her new life where people behaved nicely. But all those bad behaviors has given her lots of fodder for her humorous books. Please buy these books, because otherwise, she’ll become grumpy and write troubled novels instead. They will likely traumatize you.
You have been warned.

Mostly humorous books by Liza:
Ghost Lover—Two British brothers fall in love with the same young woman. Ancestral ghost is called in to fix the situation. And there’s a ghost cat that roams about the book as well. (Humorous Contemporary Romance)
Saving Casey— Cass wakes up in the body of a troubled teen who has burned every bridge imaginable. Her only choice is to turn this life around, but that’s much harder than she ever imagined.
Untamed & Unabashed—The youngest of the Bennet sisters, Lydia, tells her story. A faithful spinoff from Pride & Prejudice.
A Long Road to Love Series: (Humorous Contemporary odd Romance)
Worst Week Ever — Laugh out loud week of disasters of Epic proportions.
Oh Stupid Heart — The heart wants what it wants, even if it’s impossible.
Coming to Reason — There is a breaking point when even a saint comes to reason.
Climbing out of Hell — The reconstruction of a terrible man into a great one.
The Hardest Love — Is to love oneself. Sam’s story.
The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Sleuth series: (Late Victorian/Mystery/Romance)
The Troublesome Apprentice — The greatest sleuth in Victorian England hires a young man who turns out to be a young woman.
The Missing Partner — Opps! The greatest sleuth in Victorian England goes missing, leaving Vic to rescue him, a suffragette, and about 100 servants. Not to mention an eviscerating cat. Yes, let’s not mention the cat.
A Right to Love — A romantic detour for Jacko. Want to see how amply rewarded Jacko was when he & Vic save an old woman from Bedlam?
The Mesmerist — The Mesmerist can control people from afar and make them murder for her. Worse yet, Xavier Thorn has fallen under her spell.
Well Kept Secrets — The problems with secrets is that they always come to light, no matter how you wish to silence them.
Pack of Trouble — Changes are a part of life, but these changes almost kill Vic.
The Darkest Days — Muddled cases make Vic very grumpy.

Welcome Liza.

What destroys all modern societies on Earth in Surviving Outbound?
Honestly, I had a great deal of possibilities to choose from: Wars, Global warming/followed by a deep freeze, meteor strikes, super volcano eruptions (such as the one beneath Yellowstone) etc. To be honest, remaining on Earth doesn’t look like a good future at all…

It’s scary how many realistic choices I had. However, I chose the magnetic poles reversing because that will almost certainly happen (anywhere between 20 & 2,000 years from now, (we don’t actually know, but the process appears to have already begun, it just takes it’s time) and there is nothing we can do to stop it. During the long reversal process, the magnetic field could drop to 10% of its current strength (based on computer programs), allowing solar flares from the sun to fry our electrical grids. The consequences will collapse all economies that depend upon electricity unless we ‘harden’ our electrical grids by ensuring the EHV (Electrical High Voltage) transformers don’t fail under strong and sudden electro-Magnetic pulses, but the bill never gets past Congress, no doubt because the cost would be several billion dollars.

Some blogs I read downplay this scenario, claiming our atmosphere will protect us. But even now, we get blackouts from solar flares, they just aren’t world wide—yet. So I think this is a serious threat. Just not one we can do anything about…except harden our grid and maintain large quantities of backup parts in steel lined bunkers. (Which would be costly, so we won’t do it.)

The Magnetic Poles have reversed many times before. Some reputable sites claim it caused no serious problems when it flipped, and won’t cause us any trouble in the future. But that statement, with no evidence to back it up, is absurd. Exactly who did they ask? Humans weren’t around 786,000 years ago. But looking at later reversals which are considered to be minor excursions, animals have gone extinct during the same time as the reversal period. Was it coincidence, radiation poisoning, or cancers?) Honestly, I got the feeling a couple of the Science articles were written just to calm us down so we won’t freak out, as other bloggers try to reveal our real risk.

Even how often the reversal occurs varies greatly by blog site. Some say the last one was 786,000 years ago, but others say the last one was 11,000 years ago. Whichever is the correct answer, it’s irrelevant. No creature stored all their hard earned money in digital form, dependent upon electrical grids when they incurred a reversal in previous times.
With certainty, this will be the first time most economies run on electricity.

Sadly, in the 20 to 100 years it takes to flip the magnetic poles, our magnetic shields will diminish and in some cases, collapse entirely, leaving our electric grids at serious risk of solar flare damage. (It also puts us at a higher risk of cancers, makes air and ship transportation impossible (navigation equipment will cease to work due to four North pole and five South pole readings), and will probably cause our nuclear plants to melt down—but let’s stay focused on the electrical grids.)

In my story, a series of solar flares blast the Earth just as the magnetic fields are at their weakest strength, frying all electrical grids around the globe. One of the consequences is all the digital money in banks and investment houses disappear in the blink of an eye. “But wait,” you say. “The banks have backups for their data.” They do. Huge electrical databases, which might still hold data if they had the foresight to unplugged them, exists but you’ll be long dead by the time they can safely retrieve it since with the grids down, there’s no electricity. “But there are fuel-driven generators,” you remind me. Yes, but how long will that last? Sea and air travel will have ceased so any fuel, must be obtained locally. All manufacturing sites will soon close due to the lack of electricity, so if a critical part gets fried by yet another solar flare, all drilling stops once they run out of backup parts.

In a short time (10-20 years), all major countries will be in very bad shape. Looting and theft becomes an act of survival. Those who remain in the cities live by the code: Kill or be killed. Others not willing to kill and eat their pets and neighbors, try to escape to the lands of the Shamans. The Shamans never used electricity and their banks keep accounts on paper ledgers. However, the number of people who arrive at their gates wanting help will overwhelm their cities, so with regret, they must bar the gates to their land.
Unfortunately, desperate starving people don’t give up and die just because you won’t let them in. They’ll group together and figure out how to break in.
And this is why going Outbound, even when the survival rate of outbound colonists is less than 5%, sounds like a really good idea.

Surviving Outbound
By
Liza O’Connor

Blurb
Saran along with her ‘not dead, just no longer human’ soul-bond—Tamara, and their giant blue bull leave in search of a handler so Blue can escape Earth and travel outbound. The man Saran meets and falls in love with turns out to be Tamara’s husband. Their spiritual joining of three sets into play a prophecy written long ago. Together, they become Tamsarandem, the most powerful soul-bond in all the multiverses.

The shamans pay for their voyage to Terranue, an unknown planet, never before colonized by humans. In return, Tamsarandem must look after the other colonists and help them to prosper and find their Paths of Light. They will need to do this mostly on their own, for the Gods are running out of authorized interventions. However, the God Pane, with the help of the sentient ship-computer, Marybell, constantly search for clever workarounds to ensure The Path of Light will reign supreme upon the final collapse. But there is only so much they can do within their bureaucratic rules.

Having failed to stop Tamsarandem from leaving Earth, those who walk the Path of Darkness embed their own people, including their darkest lord, on the ship to ensure it will never arrive at Terranue.
Excerpt
Tamara knew if she shared the details of her plan, Saran would declare it impossible and refuse to try. “We don’t have time for this. In order to get passage on the ship, we must leave now. The only reason we still have a chance is because they have closed the gates to the outer walls.”
“Why?”
“The cities outside of shaman influence are rioting, but the walls the cities demanded the shamans build to keep us apart, now protect us. But we only have a short time to act. People will soon realize the shamans won’t be able to protect their walls, and then the rich will decide to leave Earth and every slot on the ships will be sold to them.”
“I need to tell Father I’m leaving.”
Recalling the disaster the last time Saran had tried to leave, she sharply replied, “You’ll do no such thing! He’ll lock you up again, and when he finally lets you out, Blue will be gone, and not to the ship, I assure you. We have to leave now, Saran, as quickly and quietly as we can.”
“At least let me pack food and water.”
“You don’t have time. Even now your father is making arrangements on the phone to sell Blue to a meat packer.”
After a grunt of concern, Blue placed his head on the metal gate and pushed forward. Less than a second later, the lock gave way and the gate swung open, cutting Tamara in two.
“Blue, that was very rude,” Tamara chided as the air wavered and her form reunited.

Sales Link
Book 2: Surviving OutboundAmazon
Book 1: The Gods of ProbabilitiesAmazon

About Author
Liza is a multiple genre author of 15 novels. A Late Victorian Series, The Adventures of Xavier & Vic, plus a spinoff, A Right to Love, is an ongoing series. A Long Road to Love is a humorous Contemporary Disaster Romance series of five books. She has two single books. One is a humorous, bad boys contemporary novel with ghosts, called Ghost Lover, the other is Untamed & Unabashed, a spinoff from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Now, she’s rolling out her Science fiction series (with romance & humor) called The Multiverses. The first four books are slotted for the last half of 2015. In addition she hopes, if she hasn’t dropped from exhaustion by then, to re-release a sometimes humorous/suspense thriller called Saving Casey

Today I am so pleased to have the fabulous Liza O’Connor here with Well Kept Secrets. Welcome Liza.

Well Kept Secrets

As readers of The Adventures of Xavier & Vic know, my sleuths acquire the most interesting employees. Today, I’m sharing more of L’il Pete’s history, when Pete’s mum made him stop working for Jacko. Just to remind you how adorable L’il Pete is.

Tears formed in the boy’s eyes and his lips quivered. “Me ma says I can’t work for you no more.”
“Did she say why?” Jacko asked.
L’il Pete nodded but said nothing.
“And what was her reason?”
The boy looked away. “I don’t wanna tell ya.”
Jacko touched his arm. “Well, I need to know.”
L’il Pete scuffed the floor with his shoe. “She says something ain’t right for you to pay me so much for so little.”
Jacko sighed. “I see. I paid you too much, did I?”
“I guess so.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out twenty-five pounds. “I have to give it back.”
“Now that’s not fair. You earned the money fair and square. In fact, you helped save a man’s life.”
The boy looked up in shook. “For real?”
Jacko nodded. “Yes, and I need to go see him. Would you like to meet the man you saved?
The boy stood up straight and nodded with vigor.
When they approached Wicked, Jacko picked up L’il Pete and held him before his horse. “Don’t bite this boy. He’s got character.”
Wicked snorted and tossed his head, but he didn’t nip when Pete petted his nose.
Jacko mounted and then reached down and helped the boy up.
The boy laughed as they left the barn. “This is the funnest thing I’ve ever done.”
All the way to Xavier’s tenement, L’il Pete called out to other street boys so they could see him on the horse.
When the boy saw the Queen’s Men, he pointed at them. “Soldiers! Ain’t they grand?”
Jacko passed through the line of soldiers guarding Xavier’s temporary quarters. Pulling the horse to a halt at the boarding room entrance, he helped Pete down and then dismounted his horse. One of the Royal Rifles came to take the steed. “Just leave him be. He bites.”
To prove this, Wicked nipped at the man.
“I don’t bite.” L’il Pete held out his hand. “Will you shake my hand, sir?”
The soldier smiled and shook his hand.
Jacko led the excited boy upstairs. Pete remained happy until he spotted Tubs. Upon sight of the ugly giant, the boy froze.
“He won’t harm you.” Jacko nudged him along. By the way Pete clung to his leg, the boy didn’t believe that to be true.
“Where’s Vic?” he asked Tubs.
“Home getting a bath.” Tubs focused on the boy and frowned.
Jacko opened the door to Xavier’s room and his heart stopped. The bed was empty. Damn it, he should have never trusted Tubs!
“The boss is in the other room now,” Tubs said.
Jacko rushed to the other door and relaxed when he opened it to Xavier scolding the doctor. He had no trouble getting Pete inside. The boy was so anxious to get away from Tubs that he hit the door full force, knocking it out of Jacko’s hand. When it slammed against the wall both Xavier and Dr. Connor looked at him as if he were mad.
Jacko shrugged and closed the door, while Pete stepped toward Xavier. “Hello. I’m L’il Pete and I helped save you.”

The great Victorian sleuth Xavier Thorn and his partner Vic Hamilton take a case close to home. Their youngest staff member, L’il Pete, discovers his mother murdered in the alley. Jacko is called up from the country to assist in solving the crime. The good woman’s murder proves to be tangled up with a much larger and shocking list of crimes perpetrated by a powerful man who may truly be above the law. Making matters more complex: Vic discovers her recent weight gain may be the result of a condition that could destroy her life and everything she loves.

As dim light crept through the window, Pete’s stomach turned to lead. Something had happened to his mum. She was never this late.
Maybe she was hurt and needed his help.
With chattering teeth, he abandoned the warmth of the blanket and shoved his tiny feet into the boots Vic had bought him so he could do his job as their message boy without his feet falling off.
To the best of his memory, he couldn’t recall anyone whose feet had actually frozen and broke off, but he knew of seven boys who plum froze to death in the cold.
At least he didn’t have to waste time getting dressed. He’d never taken off his clothes or coat last night…much too cold for that, given their apartment wasn’t a bit warmer than outside, only less windy.
His parched throat drove him to the table, hoping some water remained in the pitcher. He spied an inch in the bottom, frozen solid. Without a fire, he had no way to warm it up. And he had nothin’ to start a fire with.
He put a torn, sad coat over his good one, so nobody would realize he had something worth taking. Then he tied rags around his fine leather boots to hide them too. Otherwise, he’d be stripped bare and left to die in the cold before he got two blocks from home.
The people who lived in this part of London would take advantage of anyone smaller, and unfortunately, Pete was not only nine, but a really small nine at that. Most seven-year-olds could take him in a fair fight, not that anyone hereabouts fought fair.
Thus, Pete had to use his brain to keep what was his. So far, it’d worked. Nobody had any idea what a great job he’d landed at Thorn’s Private Inquiries. Both he and his mum had the good sense to keep his good fortune a secret.

Book 4
Well Kept Secrets

Need to catch up?

Liza O’Connor was raised badly by feral cats, left the South/Midwest and wandered off to find nicer people on the east coast. There she worked for the meanest man on Wall Street, while her psychotic husband tried to kill her three times. (So much for finding nicer people.) Then one day she declared enough, got a better job, divorced her husband, and fell in love with her new life where people behaved normally. But all those bad behaviors have given her lots of fodder for her humorous romances. Please buy these books, because otherwise, she’ll become grumpy and write troubled novels instead. They will likely traumatize you.
You have been warned.

Mostly humorous books by Liza:Ghost Lover—Two British brothers fall in love with the same young woman. Ancestral ghost is called in to fix the situation. And there’s a ghost cat that roams about the book as well. (Humorous Contemporary Romance)Untamed & Unabashed—The youngest of the Bennet sisters, Lydia, tells her story. A faithful spinoff from Pride & Prejudice.A Long Road to Love Series: (Humorous Contemporary odd Romance)Worst Week Ever — Laugh out loud week of disasters of Epic proportions.Oh Stupid Heart — The heart wants what it wants, even if it’s impossible.Coming to Reason — There is a breaking point when even a saint comes to reason.Climbing out of Hell — The reconstruction of a terrible man into a great one.The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Sleuth series: (Late Victorian/Mystery/Romance)The Troublesome Apprentice — The greatest sleuth in Victorian England hires a young man who turns out to be a young woman.The Missing Partner — Opps! The greatest sleuth in Victorian England goes missing, leaving Vic to rescue him, a suffragette, and about 100 servants. Not to mention an eviscerating cat. Yes, let’s not mention the cat.A Right to Love — A romantic detour for Jacko. Want to see how amply rewarded Jacko was when he & Vic save an old woman from Bedlam?The Mesmerist — The Mesmerist can control people from afar and make them murder for her. Worse yet, Xavier Thorn has fallen under her spell.Well Kept Secrets — L’il Pete’s mum is murdered, and discovering who & why reveals a great many secrets.